androgen

noun

1. Any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates. A male sex hormone such as testosterone or anabolic steroids.

   “It is known as Hatschek's pit and has been found to react positively to antibodies against substance P, met-enkephalin, cholecystokinin (CCK), mammalian luteinizing hormone (LH), and the enzyme aromatase (P450ₐᵣₒ), which converts certain androgens into estrogens (see Chapter 3).”

   “However, high levels of the nonaromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone and of sex-hormone binding globulin that inhibit fat accumulation in the abdomen might also contribute to reducing the waist.”

   “Indeed, one popular thread on looksmax.org is devoted to “pubertymaxxing,” complete with “an introduction into androgens and growth factors, and how to apply them.””